54101 Antique Persian Mahal Rug, 10'00 x 13'08.
The Lotus Legacy: An Antique Persian Mahal Masterpiece of Elegant Safavid Grace
This hand knotted wool antique Persian Mahal rug, woven during the Early 20th Century in the storied village of Mahallat and its surrounding weaving centers in Northwest Iran, reflects the enduring artistry that made Mahal carpets prized among collectors and grand estates across the world. Rendered in a romantic palette of softened terracotta, rust, and pale earth-tones, the stunning masterwork possesses the graceful patina that only age and careful stewardship can create. Its expansive allover design evokes the atmosphere of a flourishing Persian garden preserved through generations.
The field is richly adorned with Shah Abbasi palmettes and stylized lotus blooms, a distinguished tribute to the artistic renaissance of the Safavid Dynasty under Shah Abbas. These multi-petaled floral forms symbolize rebirth, immortality, and spiritual purity, inspired by the lotus flower that rises untouched from murky waters. Their rhythmic repetition creates a sense of continuity, transforming the rug into a celebration of renewal and enduring beauty.
Uniting the floral arrangement is the celebrated Mina Khani trellis, an elegant network of scrolling branches and interconnected blossoms that extends across the exceptional composition. Long regarded as a symbol of harmony, order, and the interconnected nature of existence, this lattice reminds the viewer that all aspects of life are bound together. Smaller blossoms, delicate leaves, and flowing tendrils enrich the field with references to youth, springtime, and the Garden of Paradise, these iconic motifs traditionally woven to invite vitality and abundance into the home.
Encircling the exquisite work of art is a refined Shah Abbasi border accompanied by carnation meander and sawtooth guard bands. The lotus-inspired border motifs establish a majestic framework while the carnation guards introduce symbols associated with happiness, devotion, and protection. Together, these layered elements create an extraordinary masterpiece of remarkable sophistication, allowing this antique Persian Mahal rug to serve not merely as a furnishing, but as a rare heirloom embodying the poetry, symbolism, and cultural grandeur of Persian weaving tradition.
- Distressed. Desirable Age Wear.
- Abrash. Antique wash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Iran.
- Measures: 10'00 x 13'08.
- Pile Height: 0.13 of an inch.
- Date: 1920's. Early 20th Century.
